# NTSB LAX99LA131: Cessna 172N, N73859, Scottsdale, AZ, March 27, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 27, 1999, 09:47 local (16:47 UTC) - Place: Scottsdale, AZ - Coordinates: 33.609241, -111.890724 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6092&lon=-111.8907&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46019 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA131 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46019/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA131 ## Probable cause Failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft while retracting the flaps during a touch-and-go. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - rudder - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - airport sign/marker ## Analysis The student pilot stated that he was practicing touch-and-go landings in calm wind conditions. On the second landing, he advanced the throttle to go-around and was retracting the flaps when the airplane veered left of centerline. He said that the airplane exhibited more of a left turning tendency than he expected and that he attempted to correct with right rudder input; however, the airplane departed the runway surface and struck two signs before coming to a stop. He stated that he applied the brakes, but did not remember retarding the throttle during the accident sequence. ## Factual narrative On March 27, 1999, at 0947 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 172N, N73859, veered off runway 3 while practicing touch-and-go landings and struck two signs at the Scottsdale, Arizona, airport. The airplane, operated by Desert Pacific Aviation, Inc., under 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the local solo instructional flight that originated at 0915. No flight plan was filed. In an interview with an investigator from the Safety Board, the student pilot stated that this was his second touch-and-go landing of the day. There were no difficulties noted with the landing. The pilot said that he advanced the throttle to go-around, and retracted the flaps, "the plane exhibited a more pronounced left turning tendency than I expected and I failed to apply the necessary amount of rudder to prevent the airplane from veering [off] of the runway and into the dirt." The pilot stated that he attempted to correct with right rudder; however, the left wheel departed the runway surface and the airplane turned more to the left. The student pilot stated that after leaving the runway he struck an runway/taxiway marking sign. In his written report, he noted that he applied the brakes, but did not remember retarding the throttle, and the airplane came to a stop after striking the second sign. The pilot reported that weather was not a factor in this accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N73859](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73859-2017-07-07), registration cancelled 2017-07-07, S/N 17267727, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17267727 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Desert Pacific Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 26, 1999, 2 hours before - Departed: SDL - Airport: SDL, Scottsdale, runway 3, 8,251 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 51 total, 30 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PHX, 14 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19990327002789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990327002789A), Mar 27, 1999: Cessna 172N, Scottsdale, AZ, Substantial damage. (.19) On March 27, 1999, at 0947 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 172N, N73859, veered off runway 3 while practicing touch-and-go landings and struck a… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.